Mike Bones - What I Have Left (Vice)
4/5
By: Doug McNaught
Sitting comfortably somewhere between Bob Dylan, Eels and Ludovico Einaudi, and hailing from New Jersey, Mike Bones has presented us with an impressive debut UK single. The melancholic lyrics of 'What I Have Left' seem both out of place and beautifully fitting alongside the uplifting melody of this emotional song. Bones sings of a self-depreciating man with nothing to offer but uncertain possibilities. This single, however, suggests otherwise as Mr. Bones delivers the goods in abundance.
Though heavily influenced by Dylan (as can be heard through Bones' long, drawling vocals), Mike Bones branches out from his slower ballads 'Much More Than Love' and 'Give up on Guitars' and really brings it into his own. Bones' chuggy guitar riff is relentless throughout and pushes this song along with a tremendous amount of energy, which continues throughout the build up of his vocal harmonies, forceful keys and spectral strings, taking the song from folk song into an epic orchestral ensemble.
Now that I think about it, it's kind of like an orgasm, but it's a very good one that lasts 3:52 minutes, and you have it again and again. Thank you for this gift, Mr. Bones.
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